Islam Makhachev reacts to Justin Gaethje’s win over Ilia Topuria

· Yahoo Sports


Ilia Topuria was humbled at UFC White House. | Getty/UFC


Islam Makhachev is enjoying Ilia Topuria’s humbling lesson at the UFC White House event. 

Topuria (17-1) put his lightweight title on the line against interim champion Justin Gaethje (28-5) in the main event at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday at the White House. “El Matador” repeatedly affirmed that he would knock Gaethje out in the very first round. Topuria also claimed that he had a video predicting how he would knock Gaethje out, which would be released after the fight. Topuria even celebrated his expected victory with friends and family a day before the fight. 

However, Gaethje bloodied Topuria up in the very first round. While Topuria gained momentum in the second round, he seemingly spent up his energy trying to finish Gaethje. “The Highlight” busted up a visibly tired Topuria in the third round. While the cageside doctor even appeared to be calling the fight off due to the damage to Topuria’s eyes, the Georgian-Spaniard returned for a fourth round. Gaethje eventually beat Topuria up enough for his corner to stop the fight at the end of the fourth round. Gaethje finally won the undisputed title in his third attempt in one of the most historic upsets ever. 

Makhachev reminded Topuria of his lesson in humility while congratulating Gaethje on a much-deserved title win.

“He who exalts himself will be humbled! There’s levels in this game! Congratulations Justin, you deserve this belt more than anyone!” Makhachev wrote on X.



The UFC welterweight champion further mocked Topuria for quitting in the stool in one of the most important fights of his career.

“To quit in the biggest fight of your career - is something not everybody can do,” Makhachev wrote. “Real Le Layenda.”



Missed Opportunity?


Topuria had been plotting a much-anticipated matchup against Makhachev for a long time. The previously undefeated Georgian-Spaniard was even eyeing a move up to welterweight to challenge Makhachev for the title if he beat Gaethje. However, that matchup is unlikely to happen now. Gaethje had also similarly shut down a much-anticipated matchup between Makhachev’s friend and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Tony Ferguson. Gaethje won the interim title for the first time in 2020, handing Ferguson a beating from which he never recovered. “EL Cucuy” never won in the UFC again and retired on an eight-fight slump. 

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